Routing structure for saddle type vehicle

ABSTRACT

A routing structure for a saddle type vehicle for suppressing an increase in the number of parts while the appearance of play is suppressed. The routing structure for a saddle type vehicle includes a cable guide portion formed integrally with a storage box and configured to guide an operational cable of a wire cable structure. The cable guide portion is formed in a shape of a gutter along an outer side of a peripheral edge of an opening of the storage box.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 USC 119 to JapanesePatent Application No. 2012-187257 filed Aug. 28, 2012 the entirecontents of that are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a routing structure for a saddle typevehicle that includes a storage box and a guide section formedintegrally on the storage box and configured to guide a pipe.

2. Description of Background Art

A saddle type vehicle such as a scooter type motorcycle is known thatincludes a hose locking section for locking a fuel hose on a side wallof a storage box. See, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.2006-218899. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-218899, the fuel hoseis locked by the hose locking section to guide the fuel hose. Moreparticularly, the hose locking section functions as a pipe guide sectionfor guiding a hose that is a kind of pipe.

Since the conventional configuration guides the fuel hose, this is aconfiguration that has no problem even if a play appears between theguides. In addition, the conventional configuration does not guide acable that has a sliding member (for example, an inner cable) in anouter tube of a wire cable or the like.

Where a cable having a sliding member in the inside thereof is guided,there is the possibility that, if a play appears between guides, thenthe sliding amount of the sliding member may vary. Therefore, it isnecessary to suppress the appearance of play using such a countermeasureas to increase the number of guides.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation asdescribed above. It is an object of an embodiment of the presentinvention to provide a routing structure for a saddle type vehicle thatsuppresses an increase of the number of parts while suppressing theappearance of play.

In order to solve the problem described above, according to anembodiment of the present invention, there is provided a routingstructure for a saddle type vehicle that includes a storage box (44),and a guide portion (161) formed integrally with the storage box (44)and configured to guide a pipe (123), wherein the pipe (123) is a cablethat includes an outer tube (121A) and a sliding article (121B) in theinside of the outer tube. The guide portion (161) is formed in a shapeof a gutter along an outer side of a peripheral edge of an opening (44K)of the storage box (44).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the guide portion,formed integrally with the storage box and configured to guide the pipe,is a cable that includes a sliding article in the inside of the outertube. Since this guide portion is formed in a shape of a gutter along anouter side of a peripheral edge of the opening of the storage box, theguide portion that is long can be formed making use of the peripheraledge of the opening of the accommodation box. Consequently, while a playof the cable is suppressed, an increase in the number of parts can besuppressed. Further, it is possible to raise the rigidity of theperipheral edge of the opening by the guide portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the routingstructure for a saddle type vehicle may be configured such that a seat(10) that covers the storage box (44) so as to open or close the storagebox (44) is provided above the storage box (44). The storage box (44) isformed long in a forward and rearward direction of the vehicle. A seatlock apparatus (372) is provided behind the storage box (44) while aseat lock cancellation apparatus (143) is provided in front of thestorage box (44). In addition, the pipe (123) is a seat locking cablethat actuates the seat lock apparatus (372). With the presentconfiguration, the cable length can be minimized and the operability forthe lock cancellation is improved.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the routingstructure for a saddle type vehicle may be configured such that avehicle body cover (59) is provided on the outer side of the guideportion (161), and the guide portion (161) is disposed in a space formedby the vehicle body cover (59) and the storage box (44). With thepresent configuration, exposure of the cable can be suppressed, andaccess to the cable can be made difficult thereby to achieve suppressionof vandalism or the like.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral edgeof the opening (44K) of the storage box (44) may include a curvedportion (44B, 95F) that forms a projected portion (163A, 164A) or arecessed portion (163B) as viewed in plan. With the presentconfiguration, the cable can be guided in a curved state, and thenecessity for a special fixing member for carrying out the positioningof the cable in the longitudinal direction can be eliminated.Consequently, a play of the cable can be reduced with a simple and easyconfiguration.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the routingstructure for a saddle type vehicle may be configured wherein the guideportion (161) is formed in a recessed shape open upwardly and a vehiclebody cover (59) is disposed at an end portion of the guide portion (161)on the open side. With the present configuration, the periphery of thecable can be surrounded by the guide portion and the vehicle body cover.Consequently, a guiding effect of the cable can be increased. Inaddition, the protection of the cable can be enhanced.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the routingstructure for a saddle type vehicle may be configured such that a headpipe (12), a down frame (15) extending downwardly and rearwardly fromthe head pipe (12) and a seat rail (14) connected to the down frame (15)and extending upwardly and rearwardly wherein the down frame (15) isprovided. Thus, the pipe (123) is routed from an upper portion of thedown frame (15) to a rear portion side of the seat rail (14) and extendsto a position wherein the storage box (44) overlaps with the down frame(15) as viewed in side elevation. A curved guide portion (151) thatguides the pipe (123) in a curved state is formed integrally on thestorage box (44) in front of the guide portion (161). With the presentconfiguration, the cable guides for the vehicle body frame can bereduced as far as possible thereby to reduce the number of parts.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a fixing portion(166) to which the vehicle body cover (59) is fixed may be provided onthe vehicle body cover (59) and the peripheral edge of the opening ofthe storage box (44). Thus, with the present configuration, access tothe cable can be made more difficult.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the guide portionformed integrally with the storage box and configured to guide the pipeis a cable that includes a sliding article in the inside of an outertube. The guide portion is formed in a shape of a gutter along the outerside of the peripheral edge of the opening of the storage box.Therefore, while play of the cable is suppressed, an increase of thenumber of parts can be suppressed.

Further, if the seat that covers the storage box so as to open or closethe storage box is provided above the storage box, and the storage boxis formed long in the forward and rearward direction of the vehicle andthe seat lock apparatus is provided behind the storage box while theseat lock cancellation apparatus is provided in front of the storage boxand the pipe is a seat locking cable that actuates the seat lockapparatus, then the cable length can be minimized and the operabilityfor the lock cancellation is improved.

Further, if the vehicle body cover is provided on the outer side of theguide portion and the guide portion is disposed in the space formed bythe vehicle body cover and the storage box, then exposure of the cablecan be suppressed and access to the cable can be made difficult.

Further, if the peripheral edge of the opening of the storage boxincludes the curved portion that forms a projected portion or a recessedportion as viewed in plan, then the cable can be guided in a curvedstate and the necessity for a special fixing member for carrying out thepositioning of the cable in the longitudinal direction can beeliminated.

Further, if the guide portion is formed in a recessed shape openupwardly and the vehicle body cover is disposed at an end portion of theguide portion on the open side, then the periphery of the cable can besurrounded by the guide portion and the vehicle body cover.Consequently, a guiding effect of the cable can be raised and alsoprotection of the cable can be anticipated.

Further, the pipe is routed from an upper portion of the down frame thatextends downwardly and rearwardly from the head pipe to a rear portionside of the seat rail that extends upwardly and rearwardly. Further thepipe extends to a position at which the storage box overlaps with thedown frame as viewed in side elevation. In addition, the curved guideportion that guides the pipe in a curved state is formed integrally onthe storage box in front of the guide portion. Thus, the cable guidesfor the vehicle body frame can be reduced as far as possible thereby toreduce the number of parts.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing portionto which the vehicle body cover is fixed is provided on the vehicle bodycover and the peripheral edge of the opening of the storage box. Thus,access to the cable can be made more difficult.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawingswhich are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitativeof the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a left side elevational view of a motorcycle according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of an internal structure of the motorcycle as viewedfrom the left side;

FIG. 3 is a view of the internal structure of the motorcycle of FIG. 2as viewed from above;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a vehicle body frame;

FIG. 5 is a view of a storage box as viewed from above;

FIG. 6 is a view of the storage box as viewed from the left;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational sectional view showing a fuel tank togetherwith a peripheral structure;

FIG. 8 is a view indicated by an arrow mark VIII in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the fuel tank and the peripheralstructure shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view showing a lid in a closed state in a cross sectiondifferent from that of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a rear portion of a lid main bodytogether with a peripheral configuration;

FIG. 12 is a view of the lid main body from the rear side together witha peripheral configuration;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a peripheral portion of a lid lockmechanism of FIG. 8;

FIG. 14 is a view of the lid lock mechanism as viewed from the rear;

FIG. 15 is a side sectional view showing the storage box together with aperipheral configuration;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a rear portion of the storage boxtogether with a peripheral configuration;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a third cable guide portiontogether with a peripheral configuration;

FIG. 18 is a view showing a cross section of the third cable guideportion together with a peripheral configuration;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX of FIG. 17; and

FIG. 20 is a view showing a vertical section of an intermediate portioncable guide portion together with a peripheral configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, an embodiment of the present invention is describedwith reference to the drawings. It is to be noted that, in the followingdescription, unless otherwise specified, representations of directionssuch as forward, rearward, leftward, rightward, upward and downwarddirections are the same as those with respect to a vehicle body.Further, in the figures, a reference character FR indicates the vehiclebody forward direction, UP the vehicle body upward direction, and LE thevehicle body leftward direction.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the motorcycle (saddle type vehicle) 1is a scooter type vehicle having a step floor 68 of the low floor typeon which an occupant (rider) seated on a seat 10 places his or her feet.The motorcycle 1 includes a front wheel 2 at a front portion of avehicle body frame F (FIG. 2) with a rear wheel 3 that is a drivingwheel supported for rotation on a unit swing engine (also called swingpower unit) U disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle. The vehiclebody frame F is covered with a vehicle body cover C made of resin.

It is to be noted that, in FIG. 2, for the convenience of illustration,part of the vehicle body cover C is omitted and a throttle cable 120 andan operational cable 123 for the seat lock cancellation are indicated bythick lines.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the vehicle body frame F is formed byconnecting a plurality of tubes or pipes made of metal to each other bywelding. A main frame 11 includes a head pipe 12 provided at a frontportion, and a pair of left and right lower side down frames 13, 13 thatextend rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe 12, then extendsubstantially horizontally and rearwardly and further extend rearwardlyand upwardly at a rear portion. The main frame 11 further includes apair of left and right seat rails 14, 14 extending rearwardly andupwardly from a front lower portion of the lower side down frames 13, 13to a rear portion of the vehicle. The main frame 11 further includes apair of left and right upper side down frames (hereinafter referred toas upper frames) 15, 15 extending rearwardly and downwardly from thehead pipe 12 above the lower side down frames 13, 13 and connected tothe seat rails 14, 14.

Each of the lower side down frames 13, 13 has downwardly extendingportions 70 connected at a front end portion thereof to the head pipe 12and extending rearwardly and downwardly, and horizontally extendingportions 71 extending rearwardly substantially horizontally from each ofa lower end of the downwardly extending portions 70. Each of the lowerside down frames 13, 13 further has obliquely upwardly extendingportions 72 extending rearwardly and upwardly from each of a rear end ofthe horizontally extending portions 71.

As shown in FIG. 4, the main frame 11 includes, as cross members forconnecting the left and right frames, a front upper cross member 16connecting upper portions of the downwardly extending portions 70 of thelower side down frames 13, 13, and a front cross member 17 forconnecting lower portions of the downwardly extending portions 70 toeach other. The main frame 11 further includes a horizontal portioncross member 18 for connecting horizontally extending portions 71 of thelower side down frames 13, 13, to each other, and a pair of front andrear cross members 19 for connecting the upper frames 15, 15 to eachother. The main frame 11 further includes an intermediate cross member20 for connecting rear portions of the seat rails 14, 14, and a rearportion cross member 21 for connecting rear portions of the seat rails14, 14 to each other. The horizontal portion cross member 18 isconnected to the horizontally extending portions 71 by bolting.

The front and rear paired cross members 19 that connect the upper frames15, to each other include an upper cross member 19A (refer to FIG. 7hereinafter described) in the form of a plate for connecting upperportions of the upper frames 15, 15 to each other. The front and rearpaired cross members 19 further include a lower cross member 19B (FIG.4) having a cylindrical cross section for connecting lower portions ofthe upper frames 15, 15 to each other.

A pair of left and right tandem step stays 22, 22, extending outwardlyin a vehicle widthwise direction, are provided at upper portions of theobliquely upwardly extending portions 72, 72 of the lower side downframes 13, 13.

On a front face of the head pipe 12, a front frame 24 is provided in theform of a basket for supporting lamps, the vehicle body cover C and soforth.

A steering system for steering the front wheel 2 includes a steeringshaft 9 (FIG. 2) supported for rotation on the head pipe 12, and ahandlebar 25 connected to an upper portion of the steering shaft 9. Thesteering shaft 9 is connected at a lower end thereof to a pair of leftand right front forks 26, 26 (FIG. 1). The front wheel 2 is supportedfor rotation at a lower end of the front forks 26, 26 and is steered byoperation of the handlebar 25.

The unit swing engine U is of the unit swing type wherein an engine Eand a transmission case M in which a continuously variable transmissionmechanism of the belt type is accommodated are integrated with eachother, and has a function also as a swing arm for supporting the rearwheel 3 as shown in FIG. 1. The unit swing engine U is connected to arear portion of the lower side down frames 13, 13 through a link member27 connected to a front portion of the unit swing engine U and isupwardly and downwardly rockable around a pivot shaft 28 provided on thelink member 27. It is to be noted that the link member 27 is connectedat a front end thereof to a rear portion of the lower side down frames13, 13 through a pair of left and right power unit supporting portions85, 85 (FIG. 4).

The engine E is a four-cycle single cylinder engine of the water cooledtype and is disposed such that a cylinder axial line 29 (FIG. 2) thereofextends forwardly substantially horizontally. The engine E is configuredsuch that a cylinder section 32 (FIG. 2) formed from a cylinder blockand a cylinder head is coupled to a front end of a crankcase 30 disposedat a front portion of the unit swing engine U.

The transmission case M extends rearwardly passing to the left andsidewardly of the rear wheel 3 from a rear portion of the crankcase 30,and an axle 3A (FIG. 2) of the rear wheel 3 is supported at a rearportion of the transmission case M. Output power of the engine F istransmitted to the rear wheel 3 through the continuously variabletransmission mechanism in the transmission case M. A pair of left andright rear suspensions 34, 34 extend between a rear end of thetransmission case M and a rear end of an arm portion 33 and the seatrails 14, 14.

An air cleaner box 35 (FIGS. 1 and 2) for sucking external air isprovided on an upper face of the transmission case M. The air cleanerbox 35 is connected to a throttle body not shown connected to an intakeport of the cylinder section 32 through a connecting tube not shown. Thethrottle body is operated by a throttle cable 120 (FIG. 2) extendingfrom a throttle provided on the handlebar 25 to adjust the throttleopening.

An exhaust pipe 37 connected to an exhaust port of the cylinder section32 extends rearwardly passing below the engine E and is connected to amuffler 38 (FIG. 3) fixed to an outer side (right side) of the armportion 33. A main stand 39 that can support the vehicle in an uprightstate is provided at a rear downward portion of the transmission case M.

A fuel tank 40 for reserving fuel for the engine E is formed in a shapewherein, as viewed in a side elevation, a front face thereof is inclinedrearwardly and downwardly along the downwardly extending portions 70 ofthe lower side down frames 13 and a rear face thereof is inclinedrearwardly and downwardly along the upper frames 15 as shown in FIG. 2.Meanwhile, in an upward and downward direction, the fuel tank 40 extendsupwardly and downwardly long from behind a lower portion of the headpipe 12 to the proximity of the horizontally extending portions 71 ofthe lower side down frames 13. In short, the fuel tank 40 is formed in atank inclined rearwardly and downwardly between the left and right lowerside down frames 13, 13 and the upper frames 15.

In a space that is open downwardly of a front portion of the fuel tank40, a plate-shaped radiator 41 for cooling the cooling water of theengine E is provided, and the radiator 41 and the fuel tank 40 aredisposed compactly in the forward and rearward direction. Further, aside stand 47 (FIG. 1) that can support the vehicle in a leftwardlyinclined state is attached to the vehicle body frame F.

A storage box 44 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of a large capacity that canaccommodate articles therein is disposed behind the fuel tank 40.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the storage box 44 is formed in a shapeof a box that is long in the forward and rearward direction with respectto the width (length in the vehicle widthwise direction). The storagebox 44 is connected to box stays 80, 80 (FIG. 4) provided atintermediate portions of the seat rails 14, 14 in the forward andrearward direction and rear portions of the seat rails 14, 14 by aplurality of fastening members 91 and 92 (FIG. 3). Since the storage box44 is attached in this manner, the storage box 44 extends rearwardly andupwardly from the proximity of a rear portion of the fuel tank 40 to alocation above the transmission case M between the seat rails 14, 14.

In FIG. 5, a pair of left and right through-holes 93 and 94 are providedthrough which the fastening members 91 and 92 extend, respectively. Thethrough-holes 93 are provided in a pair of left and right projectingportions 95F, 95F that project to the left and to the right from anintermediate portion of the storage box 44 in the forward and rearwarddirection. The through-holes 94 are provided in a pair of left and rightprojecting portions 95R, 95R that project to the left and to the rightfrom a rear portion of the storage box 44.

The left and right projecting portions 95F and 95R are portionsprojecting to the most outer sides of the storage box 44 in the vehiclewidthwise direction. The projecting portions 95F and 95R are used asfixing portions to the vehicle body frame F so that the storage box 44can be supported stably on the vehicle body frame F.

The storage box 44 has a front storage region 44A disposed between thefuel tank 40 and the obliquely upwardly extending portions 72 of thelower side down frames 13, and a rear storage region 44B disposed abovethe unit swing engine U. The front storage region 44A and the rearstorage region 44B are formed integrally by resin molding.

An upper face of the storage box 44 has an opening 44K (FIG. 3) openover the overall length thereof. The opening 44K (FIG. 3) is closed upfor opening by the seat 10 (FIG. 1) for an occupant. The seat 10 has afront seat 10A supported for upward and downward pivotal motion around afront end thereof on the vehicle body frame F for seating a rider(occupant RD shown in FIG. 1). The seat 10 further has a rear seat 10Bformed higher by one step than the front seat 10A for seating apassenger. The front seat 10A and the rear seat 10B are formedintegrally with each other.

A grab rail 48 (FIG. 1) is fixed to rear portions of the seat rails 14,14 behind the storage box 44.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle body cover C has a front cover 50 thatcovers the front and the left and right sides of the head pipe 12 andextends downwardly in front of the downwardly extending portions 70, anda front lower cover 51 connected to a lower portion of the front cover50. The vehicle body cover C further has an upper cover 52 connected toan upper portion of the front cover 50 below the handlebar 25, and anupper inner cover 53 connected to left and right edge portions of thefront cover 50 and covering the head pipe 12, upper frames 15, 15 anddownwardly extending portions 70 from the rear and the sides. Thevehicle body cover C further has a pair of left and right lower innercovers 54, 54 connected to a lower edge of the upper inner cover 53 andcovering the upper frames 15, 15 and the downwardly extending portions70, and a pair of left and right step covers 55, 55 connected to a lowerportion of the front cover 50 and lower edges of the lower inner covers54, 54. The vehicle body cover C further has a pair of left and rightfront floor skirts 56, 56 connected to a lower portion of the frontcover 50 and lower portions of the step covers 55, 55 and covering stepframes 23, 23 from the sides, and a pair of left and right rear floorskirts 57, 57 continuing to and extending rearwardly from the frontfloor skirts 56, 56 and covering the lower side down frames 13, 13. Thevehicle body cover C further has an undercover 58 covering the left andright horizontally extending portions 71, 71 from below, a pair of leftand right body side covers 59, 59 connected to rear portions of thelower inner covers 54, 54 and the step covers 55, 55 for covering thestorage box 44 and the seat rails 14, 14 from the sides below the seat10. A tail cover 60 is connected to rear portions of the body sidecovers 59, 59.

A step floor 68 on which the occupant RD seated on the front seat 10Aplaces his or her feet is formed on a bottom portion of each of the leftand right step covers 55, 55.

The upper inner cover 53, lower inner covers 54, 54 and step covers 55,55 are parts that form a center tunnel section 250 disposed below alocation between the handlebar 25 and the seat 10.

The center tunnel section 250 connects a lower portion of the seat 10and a leg shield 601, that covers the feet of the occupant RD from thefront to each other in such a manner so as to cover the left and rightpaired upper frames 15, 15, that are disposed at a position higher thanthe left and right step floors 68, and the fuel tank 40 from above.

Of the center tunnel section 250, a portion adjacent the leg shield 601,namely, a straddle section 250A configured from the upper inner cover 53and the lower inner covers 54, 54, is inclined so as to approach thecenter side of the vehicle width toward the rear, thereby facilitatingan improvement in getting on the vehicle.

A windshield 61 extending rearwardly and upwardly is provided at a frontportion of the front cover 50. A headlamp 62 is provided at a front endof the front cover 50, and a pair of left and right blinkers 63 areprovided continuously at an upper portion of the headlamp 62. A garnish64 in the form of a plate is provided between the headlamp 62 and thewindshield 61.

A front fender 65 that covers the front wheel 2 from above is providedon the front forks 26, 26. An open portion 187 wherein the front wheel 2is disposed is formed between an upper portion of the front lower cover51 and the front cover 50 above the front fender 65. The steering systemextends upwardly and downwardly through the open portion 187.

A rear fender 66 for covering the rear wheel 3 from above is providedbelow the body side covers 59, 59.

A pair of retractable tandem steps 67 on which a passenger on the rearseat 10B places his or her feet are supported on the tandem step stays22, 22 (FIG. 4).

A front cover 130 that serves as a front cowl for covering a portion inthe proximity of the head pipe 12 (front portion of the vehicle) isconfigured from the front cover 50, upper cover 52 and upper inner cover53 described above.

As shown in FIG. 3, a region on the back of a central portion of thehandlebar 25 is covered with a center panel 138. A key cylinder portion141 that can change over an ignition switch of the vehicle by beingoperated by a main key and a pair of left and right operational elements142 and 143 of the depression type are provided on the center panel 138.An operational cable (pipe) is connected at one end thereof to each ofthe operational elements 142 and 143 such that it is pulled in responseto an operation of the operational element 142 or 143 to unlock a lidportion 134 of an article storage section 132 and cancel a seat lockhereinafter described through the operational elements 142 and 143. Inother words, the operational elements 142 and 143 configure a lockcancellation apparatus for the article storage section at a frontportion of the vehicle and a seat lock cancellation operation.

FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate the fuel tank 40 together with a peripheralstructure. It is to be noted that FIGS. 8 and 9 show the fuel tank andthe peripheral structure with the vehicle body cover C removed.

As shown in FIG. 7, an opening 53K for allowing a filler cap 40Aprovided at an upper portion of the fuel tank 40 to be exposed outwardlytherethrough is provided in a region of the upper inner cover 53corresponding to the center tunnel section 250. The opening 53K isopened and closed by a fuel lid (hereinafter referred to as lid) 101that functions as a lid member.

FIG. 10 is a view showing the lid 101 in a closed state in a crosssection different from that of FIG. 7.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 10 a lid main body 102 is made of metal andmovable to close and open the opening 53K. A lid cover 103 that can openand close the opening 53K is mounted on the lid main body 102. Further,in FIGS. 7 and 10, an enclosure cover 105 is illustrated that enclosesthe periphery of the filler neck of the fuel tank 40. The enclosurecover 105 is formed in a shape of a box that is open upwardly, andsurrounds the periphery of the filler neck including the filler cap 40Asuch that the upper opening of the enclosure cover 105 is incommunication with the opening 53K.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a rear portion of the lid mainbody 102 together with a peripheral configuration. It is to be notedthat, in FIG. 11, a fuel pump 96 is provided rearwardly and downwardlyof the lid 101 of the fuel tank 40.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 11, a stay 19B1 made of metal and extendingforwardly and upwardly from the center in the vehicle widthwisedirection is joined by welding or the like to the lower cross member 19Bthat connects lower portions of the left and right paired lower sidedown frames 13, 13 to each other. To the stay 19B1, a lid bracket 107(FIGS. 7 and 8) that supports the lid main body 102 for opening andclosing movement and the upper inner cover 53 that configures part ofthe vehicle body cover C are fastened together by a single fasteningmember 108.

As shown in FIG. 8, the lid bracket 107 has a pair of left and rightsupporting plate portions 107A projecting to the left and to the rightfrom the stay 19B1 and bent and standing upwardly from the oppositesides of the stay 19B1. A pair of left and right lid arms 102A, 102Aextending from the lid main body 102 are connected for pivotal motion onthe left and right paired supporting plate portions 107A through supportshafts 109, 109 juxtaposed coaxially with each other. In other words,the lid bracket 107 functions as an opening and closing mechanism forsupporting the lid 101 for opening and closing motion.

FIG. 12 shows a view of the lid main body 102 together with a peripheralconfiguration as viewed from the rear side.

As shown in FIG. 12, the lid cover 103 is fixed to the lid main body 102using a plurality of (in the present configuration, three) fasteningmembers 106.

The upper inner cover 53 has a lower projection 53L projectingdownwardly at a rear end portion at the center in the vehicle widthwisedirection. The lower projection 53L is placed on the lid bracket 107. Inthis state, the single fastening member 108 is fastened from above tothe lid bracket 107 through the lower projection 53L. Consequently, thelid bracket 107 and the upper inner cover 53 are fastened together.

Since the lid 101 is fixed to the upper inner cover 53 and the vehiclebody frame F through the lid bracket 107 in this manner, the lid 101 canbe positioned accurately on the upper inner cover 53. Thus, the accuracyof assembly can be improved. Consequently, the gap between the lid cover103 and the opening 53K of the upper inner cover 53 can be minimized toassemble the lid 101 and the upper inner cover 53 with a high accuracy.

Further, since the lid 101 and the upper inner cover 53 are fixed to thevehicle body frame F, the number of parts can be reduced as compared towhen the parts are fixed separately from each other. Thus, improvementin productivity, reduction in weight and reduction in space can beanticipated.

Further, the lid 101 is configured such that it is biased to the openingside by a biasing member 101F (FIGS. 7 and 8) supported on the lidbracket 107. Thus, the lid 101 can be held in a closed state by a lidlock mechanism 110 (FIG. 8 and so forth) that can lock the lid 101 inthe closed state.

Therefore, by canceling the lock by the lid lock mechanism 110, the lid101 is opened automatically, and the necessity for an operation of theoccupant RD to directly pull the lid 101 is eliminated.

Now, the lid lock mechanism 110 is described.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a region around the lid lock mechanism110 of FIG. 8. FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the lid lock mechanism 110as viewed from the back.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the lid lock mechanism 110 includes asingle lock rod 111 that moves toward the lid main body 102 and is amechanism that inhibits the opening movement of the lid 101 by lockingthe lock rod 111 to the lid main body 102. The lock rod 111 is supportedon a lock member 112 disposed forwardly and upwardly of the lid 101.

The lock member 112 is a resin part formed by the integral molding ofresin material. The lock member 112 has a rod supporting portion 115 forsupporting the lock rod 111 and a pair of left and right foot portions116, 116 extending to the left and the right from the rod supportingportion 115 and placed on the paired left and right upper frames 15, 15.The rod supporting portion 115 and the foot portions 116, 116 areprovided integrally with each other. Fastening portions 98, 98 forfastening the upper inner cover 53 by a pair of left and right fasteningmembers 97, 97 (FIGS. 8 and 10) are provided at base end portions of thefoot portions 116, 116.

The rod supporting portion 115 has a pair of left and right longitudinalwalls 115A, 115A extending in the forward and rearward direction on theopposite sides of a base member in the form of a substantially flatplate. The rod supporting portion 115 further has a plurality of (in thepresent configuration, three) partition walls (hereinafter referred toas lateral walls) 115B that extend in the vehicle widthwise direction ina spaced relationship from each other in the forward and rearwarddirection between the longitudinal walls 115A, 115A. The lock rod 111extends through the paired front and rear lateral walls 115B to supportthe lock rod 111 for movement in the axial direction. In short, the rodsupporting portion 115 functions as a guide member for the lock rod 111.

Since the walls 115A and 116E of the rod supporting portion 115 functionalso as reinforcing ribs, the rod supporting portion 115 can be formedas a part that is light in weight and has a sufficient rigidity.

In the motorcycle 1, the lock rod 111 is provided at a position at thecenter in the vehicle widthwise direction in the center tunnel section250 (FIG. 14) and is disposed in a rearwardly and downwardly inclinedstate along the slope of the center tunnel section 250 (FIG. 7).Therefore, the lock rod 111 can be disposed making efficient use of anupper space in the inside of the center tunnel section 250.

In this instance, the lock rod 111 is guided for linear movement in theaxial direction thereof by the rod supporting portion 115. As an end(rear end) of the lock rod 111 enters an opening that is open at thefront end (front upper end) of the lid main body 102, movement of thelid main body 102 to the opening side can be restricted by the lock rod111.

It is to be noted that the lock rod 111 is biased to the lid main bodyside (lock side) by a biasing member not shown and can be kept in astate wherein the lid 101 is closed.

As shown in FIG. 7, an operational cable (pipe) 121 that is pulled inresponse to an operation of a predetermined operational element (in thepresent configuration, an operational element 143 (FIG. 3)), that isoperated by the occupant RD, is connected at one end thereof to a baseend portion of the lock rod 111 positioned at a front upper end of thelock rod 111.

The operational cable 121 has a wire cable structure wherein an innercable (sliding article) 121B slidably moves in the inside of an outercable 121A that configures an outer tube. The outer cable 121A isconnected at an end thereof to the lateral wall 115B at a frontmost endof the rod supporting portion 115 that configures a front wall of therod supporting portion 115, and the inner cable 121B is fixed at an endthereof to the lock rod 111. Therefore, if the inner cable 121B ispulled by a predetermined operation of the occupant RD, then the lockrod 111 is pulled out forwardly and upwardly. Thus, the lock of the lid101 of the fuel tank 40 can be canceled.

In the present configuration, since the operational cable 121 isdisposed linearly on an extension of the axial line of the lock rod 111in the proximity of the lock rod 111, the lock rod 111 works smoothly.Thus, the sense of working of the lock rod 111 can be improved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the lid member 115F that covers from aboveis fixed integrally to the rod supporting portion 115 by a fasteningmember 99. On the lid member 115F, a first cable guide portion 115G forguiding the cable 123 for the seat lock cancellation that is a cableother than the lid locking cable is provided integrally.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a pawl portion (locking portion) 115H thatextends downwardly and engages with the upper cross member 19A betweenthe upper frames 15, 15 is formed integrally at a front lower portion ofthe rod supporting portion 115.

As shown in FIG. 8, the left and right paired foot portions 116, 116 areformed in such a shape that they extend to the left and to the rightalong an upper edge of the enclosure cover 105, that encloses theperiphery of the filler neck (filler cap 40A), and extend to the leftand to the right between the left and right upper frames 15, 15 as shownin FIG. 9. The foot portions 116, 116 have a plurality of (three in therearward and downward direction) lateral walls 116A projectingdownwardly as shown in FIGS. 9 and 12. Lower faces of the lateral walls116A are formed in a curved shape wherein the lateral walls 116A arecurved along outer peripheral faces of the upper frames 15, 15.

Therefore, by placing the lateral walls 116A of the foot portions 116,116 on the upper frames 15, 15, the lock member 112 can be positioned inthe vehicle widthwise direction. In this instance, the center in thevehicle widthwise direction and the center of the lock member 112 in thewidthwise direction coincide with each other. Thus, the lock rod 111 canbe positioned readily to a position wherein the lid 101 can bepositioned for locking.

Also in the foot portions 116, 116, since the lateral walls 116A and theleft and right paired longitudinal walls 115A, 115A function asreinforcing ribs similarly to the rod supporting portion 115, they canbe formed as parts that are light in weight and have sufficientrigidity.

Since the lock member 112 has the pawl portion 115H (FIG. 7) thatextends downwardly from a front upper end of the lock member 112 and islocked with the upper cross member 19A between the upper frames 15, 15as described hereinabove, the pawl portion 115H can be locked with theupper cross member 19A to temporarily lock the lock member 112 to thevehicle body frame F side.

Upon this temporary locking, the foot portions 116, 116 of the lockmember 112 are placed on the upper frames 15, 15. In addition, the pawlportion 115H is locked with the upper cross member 19A. Consequently,the lock member 112 can be positioned accurately and readily at aplanned attachment position thereof.

Thereafter, by placing the upper inner cover 53 above the lock member112 and fastening the fastening members 97, 97 to the fastening portions98, 98 provided on the lock member 112 from above the upper inner cover53, the upper inner cover 53 and the lock member 112 are fastened toeach other (refer to FIG. 10). Thus, the attachment of the lock member112 is completed therewith.

In this instance, while the load of the lock member 112 is supported bythe left and right paired upper frames 15, 15 of the vehicle body frameF, the lock member 112 can be fixed to the upper inner cover 53.Accordingly, while the assembly accuracy between the lock member 112 andthe upper inner cover 53 is improved, the necessity for such strength asto support the lock member 112 on the upper inner cover 53 of thevehicle body cover C is eliminated. Therefore, a reduction in the weightof the upper inner cover 53 can be anticipated.

Further, with the present configuration, since the lock member 112 isfixed to the upper inner cover 53 wherein the lid 101 is fixed, anassembly error between the lock member 112 and the lid 101 can besuppressed. Also by this construction, the operability of the lockmember 112 can be well maintained.

Furthermore, in the lock member 112, the left and right pairedlongitudinal walls 115A, 115A of the lock member 112 include curvedportions 115N, 115N (FIGS. 7 and 9) that are curved substantially alonga curved portion 53N of the upper inner cover 53 as viewed in a sideelevation. The curved portions 115N, 115N function as abutting portionsthat abut with the curved portion 53N of the upper inner cover 53 whenthe lock member 112 is assembled. Therefore, by the abutment, the lockmember 112 can be sandwiched between the upper inner cover 53 and theupper frames 15, 15.

The abutment position corresponds to a position wherein the lock member112 is spaced from the location and is fixed to the upper inner cover 53(fastening members 97, 97 and fastening portions 98, 98). Therefore, bythe fixed location and the sandwiched position, the lock member 112 canbe fixed at a plurality of locations spaced from each other. Thus, thesupporting force of the lock member 112 can be efficiently improved.

Therefore, even if the rigidity of the upper inner cover 53 is reduced,the upper inner cover 53 can be supported on the frame through the lockmember 112. Thus, the supporting strength of the upper inner cover 53can be readily assured. Consequently, while the supporting strength ofthe lock member 112 is assured, a reduction in the weight by reducingthe thickness of the upper inner cover 53 can be anticipated.

Further, since the lock member 112 is disposed at the center in thevehicle widthwise direction utilizing the space between the left andright paired upper frames 15, and the space between the upper frames 15,15 and the upper inner cover 53, it can be disposed effectivelyutilizing the dead spaces of the motorcycle 1.

Furthermore, a second cable guide portion 116G for guiding theoperational cable 123 for the cancellation of the seat lock is formedintegrally on one of the left and right foot portions 116, 116 (in thepresent configuration, the foot portion 116 on the left side of thevehicle body). This second cable guide portion 116G has a shape of agutter open upwardly and supports the operational cable 123 along oneupper frames 15 (on the left side).

In short, the operational cable 123 is guided by the second cable guideportion 116G after it is guided by the first cable guide portion 115Gprovided at a front upper portion of the lock member 112. Theoperational cable 123 is routed, although hereinafter described indetail, rearwardly along a left side edge of the upper frame 15 on theleft side and the storage box 44, and is connected to a seat lockapparatus 372 (refer to FIG. 15 hereinafter described) for thecancellation of the seat lock provided at a position corresponding to arear end of the storage box 44.

Since the lock member 112 for locking the lid 101 is used also as aguide member for guiding the operational cable 123 for the cancellationof the seat lock, that is a cable other than the operational cable 121for the lid lock, a reduction in the number of parts is possible.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the lock member112 that can lock the lid 101 to the closed state is fixed to the upperinner cover 53 that configures part of the vehicle body cover C and isplaced on the upper frames 15, 15 that are the vehicle body frame Fbelow the upper inner cover 53. Therefore, it is possible to attach thelock member 112 to the vehicle body cover C side to assure thepositional accuracy between the vehicle body cover C and the lock member112 and support the load of the lock member 112 by the vehicle bodyframe F. Thus, the attachment rigidity of the lock member 112 of thevehicle body cover C can be suppressed.

Accordingly, a reduction in the weight of the vehicle body cover C canbe anticipated while the positional accuracy between the vehicle bodycover C and the lock member 112 is assured.

Further, the lid bracket 107 that configures the opening and closingmechanism for supporting the lid 101 for an opening and closing movementis fastened together with the upper inner cover 53 that is the vehiclebody cover C and the upper frames 15, 15 that are the vehicle body frameF. Therefore, the positional accuracy of the upper inner cover 53, thelock member 112, and the lid 101 can be improved. Thus, the managementpower upon assembly can be reduced to improve the quality.

Further, since the lock member 112 is fixed to the upper inner cover 53after it is placed on the upper frames 15, 15, the upper inner cover 53can be assembled in a state wherein the lock member 112 is assembled tothe vehicle body frame F (upper frames 15, 15) in advance. Consequently,the productivity is improved.

Further, since the lock member 112 is placed in such a manner so as toextend between the left and right paired upper frames 15, 15 thatconfigure part of the vehicle body frame F, the load of the lock member112 can be well supported. Thus the positioning of the lock member 112in the vehicle widthwise direction is facilitated. Consequently,positioning upon assembly of the lock member 112 and the vehicle bodyframe F is improved. Thus, the productivity is also improved.

Furthermore, the upper frames 15, 15 are inclined in the forward andrearward direction of the vehicle body and have the upper cross member19A on the inclination upper side. In addition, the lock member 112includes the pawl portion 115H that serves as a locking portion forlocking the upper cross member 19A from above. Therefore, positioning ofthe lock member 112 in the forward and rearward direction can be carriedout temporarily making use of the inclination of the vehicle body frameF and the upper cross member 19A. This arrangement also improves theproductive.

Further, the first and second cable guide portions 115G and 116G thatfunction as guide portions for guiding the operational cable 123 (in thepresent configuration, the cable for cancellation of the seat lock)other than that for the lid lock are provided on the lock member 112.Therefore, a different operational cable 123 can be assembled in a statewherein the lock member 112 is placed on the vehicle body frame F. Thus,the productivity is also improved. Further, since a guide part forexclusive use for the different operational cable 123 and welding ofsuch guide part to the vehicle body frame F can be reduced. Thus, areduction in the cost and in the weight can be anticipated.

Further, the curved portions 115N, 115N that serve as abutting portionswherein the upper inner cover 53 abuts from above are provided atlocations of the lock member 112 different from the locations whereinthe lock member 112 is fixed to the upper inner cover 53 (vehicle bodycover C). Therefore, the lock member 112 can be sandwiched between theupper inner cover 53 and the upper frames 15, 15 (vehicle body frame F).In addition, even if the rigidity of the vehicle body cover C isreduced, the supporting strength of the vehicle body cover C can bereadily assured through the lock member 112. Accordingly, both of thesupporting strength of the vehicle body cover C and a reduction in theweight of the vehicle body cover C can be achieved.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational sectional view showing the storage box 44together with a peripheral configuration.

The front storage region 44A of the storage box 44 is swollen downwardlyin front of the intermediate cross member 20 (FIG. 4) that connects theseat rails 14, 14 to each other at an intermediate position in theforward and rearward direction to form a helmet storage section whereina single helmet HL1 can be accommodated. A battery 651 serving as apower supplying source to the associated components is disposed belowthe front storage region 44A. In addition, maintenance working orreplacement of the battery 651 can be carried out by removing a cover652 for the bottom plate of the front storage region 44A.

Further, the rear storage region 44B of the storage box 44 is swollendownwardly behind the intermediate cross member 20 (FIG. 4) to form ahelmet storage section that can accommodate a single helmet HL2. Therear storage region 44B further has a raised bottom portion 655 thatextends rearwardly with a step formed with respect to the bottom of thehelmet storage section behind the helmet storage section.

A wall portion 656 that forms a front wall of the raised bottom portion655 is formed as a wall that is curved in a projecting manner toward therear as viewed in a top plan view. In other words, the wall portion 656is formed in a shape wherein it extends, when the helmet HL2 isaccommodated in the rear storage region 44B, along an outer edge of thehelmet HL2.

The raised bottom portion 655 extends horizontally and rearwardly overthe overall width of the rear storage region 44B from an upper edge ofthe wall portion 656 and rises upwardly at a rear edge thereof such thata sub storage box 671 is formed on the rear of the helmet storagesection of the rear storage region 44B. A partition plate 662 extendingin the vehicle widthwise direction is removably provided between thesub-storage box 671 and the helmet storage section.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a rear portion of the storage box44 together with a peripheral configuration.

The grab rail 48 is formed in a U shape that extends along a rear edgeof the rear seat 10B and is open forwardly. The grab rail 48 functionsas a grasping member for being grasped by a passenger seated on the rearseat 10B. The grab rail 48 has a pair of left and right arm portions48A, 48A extending forwardly with a connection portion 48B forconnecting the arm portions 48A, 48A to each other. It is to be notedthat FIG. 16 illustrates a state wherein the left and right paired bodyside covers 59, 59 are removed.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a seat catch plate 373 of the seat lockapparatus 372 for locking the seat 10 is attached to a central portionbetween the left and right paired arm portions 48A, 48A in the leftwardand rightward direction.

The seat lock apparatus 372 is a mechanism also called a seat catchmechanism and is engaged, when the scat 10 is closed, with a seat catchprovided at a lower portion of a rear end of the seat 10 to lock theseat 10 in the closed state.

The operational cable 123 for the cancellation of the seat lock that ispulled in response to an operation of the seat lock cancellationapparatus (operational element 143 and so forth) provided at a frontportion of the vehicle body is connected at an end thereof to the seatlock apparatus 372. Consequently, the lock of the seat 10 can becanceled by working the operational cable 123.

Also the operational cable 123 has a cable structure wherein an innercable (sliding member) not shown slidably moves in the inside of anouter cable 123A that configures an outer tube similarly to theoperational cable 121 for the lid lock cancellation.

Now, a routing structure for the operational cable 123 is described.

The operational cable 123 is disposed first from the position of theoperational element 143 provided on the center panel 138 at a frontportion of the vehicle body toward the upper frame 15 on the left sideunder the guidance of the first cable guide portion 115G (FIG. 9)provided on the lock member 112. Thereafter, the operational cable 123is disposed under the guidance of the second cable guide portion 116G(FIG. 9) provided on the lock member 112 such that it is inclinedrearwardly and downwardly along the upper frame 15 of the left side onthe upper face of the upper frame 15 as shown in FIG. 2.

In this instance, since the operational cable 123 is attached to thefirst and second cable guide portions 115G and 116G from above, theattachment work is easy.

Thereafter, the operational cable 123 is disposed, under the guidance ofthird and fourth cable guide portions 151 and 161 (FIGS. 2 and 3) formedon the outer side of a peripheral edge of the opening 44K of the storagebox 44, in a rearwardly and upwardly inclined relationship such that avalley is provided at a position wherein the left side upper frame 15and a front end of the storage box 44 are positioned closely to eachother. The operational cable 123 is disposed to extend to the seat lockapparatus 372 (FIG. 15) positioned behind the storage box 44. It is tobe noted that this routing work can be carried out in a state whereinonly the body side cover 59 on the left side is removed.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, a clamp 145 is provided on the left sideupper frame 15 for supporting the operational cable 123. The clamp 145supports the operational cable 123 between the second cable guideportion 116G provided on the lock member 112 and the third cable guideportion 151 provided on the storage box 44. In this manner, in thepresent configuration, only the single clamp 145 is provided as a cablesupporting member provided on the upper frame 15. In addition, theoperational cable 123 is supported at a plurality of points thereofmaking use of parts (lock member 112 and storage box 44) other than theupper frame 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the third cable guide portion 151together with a peripheral configuration. In addition, FIG. 18 is a viewshowing a cross section of the third cable guide portion 151 togetherwith a peripheral configuration.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 17, the third cable guide portion 151 isprovided independently and integrally on one side (left side) in thevehicle widthwise direction of a front portion of the storage box 44.Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the third cable guide portion 151 isprovided at a position lower than an upper edge of the storage box 44and is provided at a position in front of the fourth cable guide portion161 lower than that of the fourth cable guide portion 161.

As shown in FIG. 18, the third cable guide portion 151 is formed in arecessed shape (channel shape) open downwardly for restricting an upperlimit position and left and right positions of the operational cable123. Consequently, the third cable guide portion 151 functions as acurved guide portion for guiding the operational cable 123 in a statethat is curved in a downwardly projected state between the rearwardlyand downwardly extending upper frame 15 and the fourth cable guideportion 161.

By the third cable guide portion 151, the operational cable 123 can berouted such that it first extends along the rearwardly and downwardlyextending upper frame 15 and then is curved moderately and extendstoward the fourth cable guide portion 161 positioned at a relativelyhigh position without a great curve.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 6, the fourth cable guide portion 161 is formedin a shape of a gutter (shape of a groove) wherein it is swollen to theouter side in the vehicle widthwise direction along and in the proximityof an upper edge of the left side wall of the storage box 44 and extendsalong the upper edge over the forward and rearward direction of thevehicle body.

The fourth cable guide portion 161 is described separately in regard toa front cable guide portion 162 (FIG. 5) that extends rearwardly alongan outer peripheral edge of the front storage region 44A, anintermediate cable guide portion 163 (FIG. 5) that extends rearwardlyalong an outer edge between the front storage region 44A and the rearstorage region 44B, and a rear cable guide portion 164 (FIG. 5) thatextends rearwardly along an outer peripheral edge of the rear storageregion 44B.

The front storage region 44A of the storage box 44 is a region of thesmallest width of the storage box 44 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 17 and isformed in a shape of an outer edge that is curved moderately along anouter periphery of the helmet HL1 (FIG. 15) accommodated in theforwardly directed state in the front storage region 44A. Therefore, thefront cable guide portion 162 is formed in a curve that is curvedmoderately along an outer edge of the front storage region 44A as viewedin plan.

More particularly, as shown in FIG. 3, the front cable guide portion 162is formed in a shape of a gutter that extends rearwardly from a portionof the front storage region 44A, that overlaps with the upper frame 15as viewed in top plan, along a left side outer edge of the front storageregion 44A. Further, the front cable guide portion 162 is formed suchthat it extends moderately to the inner side in the vehicle widthwisedirection toward the rear as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 19 shows a vertical section of the front cable guide portion 162(that corresponds to a section taken along line XIX-XIX of FIG. 17)together with a peripheral configuration. As shown in FIG. 19, the frontcable guide portion 162 is formed in a recessed shape (channel shape)open upwardly. Further, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 5, a holding downportion 165 for holding down the operational cable 123 in the frontcable guide portion 162 from above is provided in the longitudinaldirection of the front cable guide portion 162 in a spaced relationshipfrom the front cable guide portion 162.

The holding down portion 165 is provided integrally with the front cableguide portion 162 such that a gap 165A (FIG. 19) through that theoperational cable 123 can be inserted from above into the front cableguide portion 162. Thus, the holding down portion 165 can hold down theoperational cable 123, that is disposed rather near to the outer side inthe vehicle widthwise direction in the front cable guide portion 162,from above as shown in FIG. 19.

As described hereinabove, a pair of left and right projecting portions95F, 95F (FIG. 5) that project to the outer sides in the vehiclewidthwise direction for being fixed to the box stays 80, 80 provided onthe seat rails 14, 14 are formed between the front storage region 44Aand the rear storage region 44B as described hereinabove. As shown inFIG. 5, the intermediate cable guide portion 163 is formed so as toextend along the outer side of a peripheral edge of the left sideprojecting portion 95F.

More particularly, the intermediate cable guide portion 163 extends suchthat a projected portion 163A that is curved in a projected shape to theouter side in the vehicle widthwise direction at a front portion of theleft side projecting portion 95F as viewed in plan is formed and arecessed portion 163B is formed on the inner side in the vehiclewidthwise direction at a rear portion of the projecting portion 95F areformed as shown in FIG. 5. In other words, the intermediate cable guideportion 163 extends so as to draw a moderate S-shaped curve in plan.Thus, the operational cable 123 is held along this curve.

FIG. 20 shows a vertical section of the intermediate cable guide portion163 together with a peripheral configuration.

As shown in FIG. 20, also the intermediate cable guide portion 163 has arecessed shape (channel shape) open upwardly and extends in the forwardand rearward direction of the vehicle body and includes a holding downportion 165 for holding down the operational cable 123 from above in aspaced relationship in the longitudinal direction similarly to the frontcable guide portion 162 described hereinabove.

Since the intermediate cable guide portion 163 holds the operationalcable 123 along an S-shape curve as described hereinabove, theoperational cable 123 is less liable to be displaced in the longitudinaldirection. In addition, at a portion wherein the operational cable 123is curved on the inner side in the vehicle widthwise direction (forexample, the recessed portion 163B), the operational cable 123 is liableto be disposed rather near to the outer side in the vehicle widthwisedirection. Thus, the operational cable 123 is suppressed from above bythe holding down portion 165 at the location. Further, this arrangementcan also make the operational cable 123 less liable to be displaced.

The rear storage region 44B is formed with an increased width withrespect to the front storage region 44A because it is fat tied in ashape of an outer edge that is curved moderately along the outerperiphery of the helmet HL2 (FIG. 15) that is fitted in a lateraldirection in the rear storage region 44B as shown in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, the rear cable guide portion 164 is formed along aleft side outer edge of the rear storage region 44B. Therefore, the rearcable guide portion 164 extends rearwardly while forming a projectingportion 164A that is moderately curved in a projected shape to the outerside in the vehicle widthwise direction from the rear of the projectingportion 95F. The rear cable guide portion 164 extends to a left sidecorner portion 164B of the rear storage region 44B.

Also the rear cable guide portion 164 extends in the vehicle bodyforward and rearward direction in a recessed shape (channel shape) openupwardly and includes a holding down portion 165 for holding down theoperational cable 123 from above in a spaced relationship in thelongitudinal direction similarly to the front cable guide portion 162and the intermediate cable guide portion 163 described hereinabove.

The operational cable 123 for the seat lock cancellation is routed so asto be curved moderately along a side of the storage box 44 in thismanner. Where the operational cable 123 is routed in a curved state,even if an inner cable 123B in the operational cable 123 is pulled, theouter cable 123A is not liable to be displaced. Thus, the seat lockapparatus 372 can be appropriately operated.

Further, in the present configuration, the operational cable 123 isrouted rearwardly and upwardly along an upper edge of the storage box 44as viewed in a side elevation (FIG. 2). However, the operational cable123 is routed in a curved state as viewed in a plan view and is helddown from above by the holding down portion 165. Therefore, even if theoperational cable 123 is routed rearwardly and upwardly, the outer cable123A is less liable to be displaced. Consequently, the seat lockapparatus 372 can be operated appropriately.

In addition, the body side cover 59 on the left side is mounted suchthat it covers an outer edge of an upper portion of the storage box 44from above as shown in FIG. 20. Also the fourth cable guide portion 161configured from the front cable guide portion 162, intermediate cableguide portion 163 and rear cable guide portion 164 is mounted such thatit is covered from above.

In addition, the body side covers 59, 59 are configured such that theyare mounted on the vehicle body frame F (seat rails 14) by fasteningmembers not shown and are fastened also to fastening portions 166, 166(FIG. 5), that are fastening holes provided on the peripheral edge ofthe opening 44K of the storage box 44, by fastening members 167, 167.

More particularly, the fastening portions 166, 166 are provided in theproximity of the left and right paired projecting portions 95F, 95F ofthe storage box 44, and the positions are provided substantially at thecenter position in the forward and rearward direction of the storage box44. Consequently, the body side covers 59, 59 can be positioned andfixed to the storage box 44 efficiently.

Therefore, in a state wherein the left side body side cover 59 ismounted, the operational cable 123 and the fourth cable guide portion161 are covered and are not observed from the outside. Accordingly,unintended access of a third party to the operational cable 123 isdifficult. Thus, vandalism or the like can be suppressed. Further, theoperational cable 123 can be protected against external rain or dust. Inaddition, since the operational cable 123 and the fourth cable guideportion 161 are disposed making use of the space formed between the bodyside cover 59 and the storage box 44. Thus, an effective utilization ofthe space can be achieved.

In this manner, with the present embodiment, the fourth cable guideportion 161 is formed integrally with the storage box 44 and guides theoperational cable 123 of the wire cable structure is provided and isformed in a shape of a gutter extending along the outer side of aperipheral edge of the opening 44K of the storage box 44. Therefore, along guide portion can be formed making use of the peripheral edge ofthe opening 44K of the storage box 44. Thus, an increase in the numberof parts can be suppressed while play in the operational cable 123 issuppressed. Also it is possible to raise the rigidity of the peripheraledge of the opening 44K by the fourth cable guide portion 161.

Further, the operational cable 123 is a cable for the seat lockcancellation that carries out power transmission between the seat lockcancellation apparatus (operational element 143 and so forth) in frontof the storage box 44 and the seat lock apparatus 372 behind the storagebox 44. Therefore, by providing the cable guide portions 163 and 164 onthe peripheral edge of the opening 44K of the storage box 44. Thus, thecable length can be minimized and the operability of the lockcancellation is improved.

Further, the fourth cable guide portion 161 described above is disposedin the space by from the body side cover 59 and the storage box 44 thatconfigure the vehicle body cover C. Therefore, exposure of theoperational cable 123 can be suppressed. Thus, access to the operationalcable 123 can be made more difficult thereby to suppress vandalism orthe like.

Further, the peripheral edge of the opening 44K of the storage box 44includes the curved portions that form the projected portions 163A and164A and the recessed portion 163B (front storage region 44A, projectingportion 95F and rear storage region 44B) as viewed in plan. Therefore,the peripheral edge of the opening 44K can guide the operational cable123 in a curved state. Thus, the necessity for a special fixing memberfor positioning the operational cable 123 in the longitudinal directioncan be eliminated. As a result, play in the operational cable 123 can bereduced by a simple and easy configuration.

Further, the fourth cable guide portion 161 is formed in a channel shape(recessed state) open upwardly, and the vehicle body cover C (body sidecover 59) is disposed at an open side end portion of the channel shape.Therefore, the circumference of the operational cable 123 can besurrounded by the fourth cable guide portion 161 and the vehicle bodycover C as shown in FIG. 20. Consequently, the guide effect of theoperational cable 123 can be enhanced and also protection of theoperational cable 123 can be achieved.

Furthermore, the operational cable 123 is routed from an upper portionof the upper frame 15 that configures the down frame to the rear portionside of the seat rail 14. In addition, the storage box 44 extends to aposition wherein it overlaps with the upper frame 15 as viewed in sideelevation. Further, the third cable guide portion (curved guide portion)151 for guiding the operational cable 123 in a curved state is formedintegrally on the storage box 44 in front of the fourth cable guideportion 161. Therefore, the cable guides on the vehicle body frame Fside can be reduced as far as possible thereby to reduce the number ofparts.

Further, the fastening portions 166, 166 that function as fixingportions to which the vehicle body cover C is fixed are provided on thevehicle body cover C and the peripheral edge of the opening 44K of thestorage box 44. Therefore, access to the operational cable 123 can bemade more difficult.

The embodiment described above indicates a mode of the present inventionto the end and can be modified and applied arbitrarily without departingfrom the subject matter of the present invention.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the lock member 112 forlocking the lid fuel 101 is fixed to the upper inner cover 53 and placedon the upper frames 15, 15. However, the lock member 112 may be fixed toa portion of the vehicle body cover C other than the upper inner cover53 and placed at a portion of the vehicle body frame F other than theupper frames 15, 15. Further, the locking member for locking the lid 101is not limited to the lock member 112, but a locking member that canlock the lid that covers an opening provided on the vehicle body cover Cfor opening and closing movement may be set to the vehicle body cover Cand placed on the vehicle body frame F below the vehicle body cover C.

Further, in the embodiment described hereinabove, the third and fourthcable guide portions 151 and 161 for guiding the operational cable 123for the seat lock cancellation are provided on the storage box 44.However, guide portions for guiding various pipes such as an operationalcable other than the operational cable 123 for the seat lockcancellation may be provided.

Further, the above-described configuration of the present invention canbe applied not only to the motorcycle 1 but also to any saddle typevehicle other than a motorcycle. It is to be noted that the saddle typevehicle includes general vehicles on which an occupant rides across avehicle body and includes not only a motorcycle (including a bicyclewith a prime mover) but also a three-wheeled vehicle and a four-wheeledvehicle that are classified as an ATV (all terrain vehicle).

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same maybe varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intendedto be included within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A routing structure for a saddle vehicleincluding a storage box and a guide portion formed integrally with thestorage box and configured to guide a pipe, comprising: said pipe is acable including an outer tube and a sliding article disposed inside theouter tube; and the guide portion is formed in a shape of a gutter alongan outer side of a peripheral edge of an opening of the storage box. 2.The routing structure for a saddle vehicle according to claim 1, andfurther including a seat for covering the storage box for opening orclosing the storage box, said seat being mounted above the storage boxand said storage box being formed long in a forward and rearwarddirection of the vehicle; and a seat lock apparatus mounted behind thestorage box; a seat lock cancellation apparatus mounted in front of thestorage box; and said pipe is a seat locking cable for actuating theseat lock apparatus.
 3. The routing structure for a saddle vehicleaccording to claim 1, wherein: a vehicle body cover is provided on theouter side of the guide portion, and the guide portion is disposed in aspace formed by the vehicle body cover and the storage box.
 4. Therouting structure for a saddle vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: avehicle body cover is provided on the outer side of the guide portion,and the guide portion is disposed in a space formed by the vehicle bodycover and the storage box.
 5. The routing structure for a saddle vehicleaccording to claim 1, wherein the peripheral edge of the opening of thestorage box includes a curved portion that forms a projecting portion ora recessed portion as viewed in plan.
 6. The routing structure for asaddle vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the peripheral edge of theopening of the storage box includes a curved portion that forms aprojecting portion or a recessed portion as viewed in plan.
 7. Therouting structure for a saddle vehicle according to claim 3, wherein theperipheral edge of the opening of the storage box includes a curvedportion that forms a projecting portion or a recessed portion as viewedin plan.
 8. The routing structure for a saddle vehicle according toclaim 1, wherein the guide portion is formed in a recessed shape openupwardly, and a vehicle body cover is disposed at an end portion of theguide portion on the open side.
 9. The routing structure for a saddlevehicle according to claim 2, wherein the guide portion is formed in arecessed shape open upwardly, and a vehicle body cover is disposed at anend portion of the guide portion on the open side.
 10. The routingstructure for a saddle vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the guideportion is formed in a recessed shape open upwardly, and a vehicle bodycover is disposed at an end portion of the guide portion on the openside.
 11. The routing structure for a saddle vehicle according to claim5, wherein the guide portion is formed in a recessed shape openupwardly, and a vehicle body cover is disposed at an end portion of theguide portion on the open side.
 12. The routing structure for a saddlevehicle according to claim 1, and further including a head pipe, a downframe extending downwardly and rearwardly from the head pipe and a seatrail connected to the down frame and extending upwardly and rearwardlyfrom the down frame; and the pipe is routed from an upper portion of thedown frame to a rear portion side of the seat rail and extends to aposition wherein the storage box overlaps with the down frame as viewedin side elevation, and a curved guide portion for guiding the pipe in acurved state is formed integrally on the storage box in front of theguide portion.
 13. The routing structure for a saddle vehicle accordingto claim 2, and further including a head pipe, a down frame extendingdownwardly and rearwardly from the head pipe and a seat rail connectedto the down frame and extending upwardly and rearwardly from the downframe; and the pipe is routed from an upper portion of the down frame toa rear portion side of the seat rail and extends to a position whereinthe storage box overlaps with the down frame as viewed in sideelevation, and a curved guide portion for guiding the pipe in a curvedstate is formed integrally on the storage box in front of the guideportion.
 14. The routing structure for a saddle vehicle according toclaim 3, and further including a head pipe, a down frame extendingdownwardly and rearwardly from the head pipe and a seat rail connectedto the down frame and extending upwardly and rearwardly from the downframe; and the pipe is routed from an upper portion of the down frame toa rear portion side of the seat rail and extends to a position whereinthe storage box overlaps with the down frame as viewed in sideelevation, and a curved guide portion for guiding the pipe in a curvedstate is formed integrally on the storage box in front of the guideportion.
 15. The routing structure for a saddle vehicle according toclaim 5, and further including a head pipe, a down frame extendingdownwardly and rearwardly from the head pipe and a seat rail connectedto the down frame and extending upwardly and rearwardly from the downframe; and the pipe is routed from an upper portion of the down frame toa rear portion side of the seat rail and extends to a position whereinthe storage box overlaps with the down frame as viewed in sideelevation, and a curved guide portion for guiding the pipe in a curvedstate is formed integrally on the storage box in front of the guideportion.
 16. The routing structure for a saddle vehicle according toclaim 8, and further including a head pipe, a down frame extendingdownwardly and rearwardly from the head pipe and a seat rail connectedto the down frame and extending upwardly and rearwardly from the downframe; and the pipe is routed from an upper portion of the down frame toa rear portion side of the seat rail and extends to a position whereinthe storage box overlaps with the down frame as viewed in sideelevation, and a curved guide portion for guiding the pipe in a curvedstate is formed integrally on the storage box in front of the guideportion.
 17. The routing structure for a saddle vehicle according toclaim 3, wherein a fixing portion for the vehicle body cover is providedon the vehicle body cover and the peripheral edge of the opening of thestorage box.
 18. A routing structure for a saddle vehicle comprising: astorage box; a guide portion formed integrally with the storage box andconfigured to guide a an outer tube; and a sliding article disposedinside the outer tube; said guide portion being formed in a shape of agutter along an outer side of a peripheral edge of an opening of thestorage box.
 19. The routing structure for a saddle vehicle according toclaim 18, and further including a seat for covering the storage box foropening or closing the storage box, said seat being mounted above thestorage box with said storage box being formed long in a forward andrearward direction of the vehicle; and a seat lock apparatus mountedbehind the storage box; a seat lock cancellation apparatus mounted infront of the storage box; and the sliding article is a seat lockingcable for actuating the seat lock apparatus.
 20. The routing structurefor a saddle vehicle according to claim 18, wherein: a vehicle bodycover is provided on the outer side of the guide portion, and the guideportion is disposed in a space formed by the vehicle body cover and thestorage box.